Whirlwind of a summer

As I've mentioned before, my summer consists of paying JMU to work full time for free. How messed up is that?? As annoying and frustrating as the part is, I am learning so much more than I thought and really feel like I'm an OT.  Of course it's not easy and each day hosts its own challenges, but it's so rewarding and worthwhile. That said, I am freaking exhausted and ready to have a summer.  Sad news though is that I don't get one.  

My internship isn't over until September, when I get a week off, and then Jo and I move to NC.  Did I also mention Jo and I haven't found housing yet?? Man, there is a whole list of things I need to do soon including getting all of my financial aid straight for JMU for the fall.  Ugh.  Sometimes being an adult is so annoying.  I'm ready to retire and enjoy the good life.  Haha.

The good news is, I am running consistently at least 5 times a weeks, training for the marathon!  YAY! And also going go the gym after work.  And reading my Bible.  Actually, it's really great because even though I'm getting up between4:15-4:30 most days, I get to spend the first part of my day with Jesus and then running.  What better way to wake up?? Of course, I'm also crashing in bed around 9:00/9:30, but it doesn't bother me. 

Anyways, I have to run out the door so I can make it to clinic on time.  But perhaps I'll post tonight about going home and Jo's birthday!  

Nashville Blues

Last week I got to spend about 5 or so day in the wonderful city of Nashville, TN.  It was everything that I hoped for and more.

Laura, Ryan, Pickle, and I got in around 4AM on Tuesday morning, slept a bit, and then got on our country way.  It was awesome.  We spent a lot of the week lounging around, running, going to the YMCA, and seeing the sites around town.  Some really fun things we saw were the Grand Ole opry hotel, the Grand Ole Opry, Vanderbilt University and the children's hospital (where I will one day hopefully get a job), some really amazing malls, downtown Nashville (wild horse saloon & coyote ugly), not to mention other little hidden treasures that only the townies know about it.

It was a fantastic trip! We did a lot, but rested a lot too.  It was also really great, because Ryan and Laura wanted to run and workout all the time too, so I didn't feel like I was putting anybody out.

We drove back Saturday and hung out that night in Waynesboro.  It's only an 8 hour drive, but even that can be tiring after a while.  I moved to Richmond on Sunday and started my clinical the next day.  I'll post more about that later this week!

But the beauty of grace...

...is that it makes life not fair.

Good lyrics from a great song that always seems to remind me of God when I need Him the most. I'm a really lucky person.  I say that because I've been given grace from my Savior even though I am absolutely unworthy.  But in my mind, that's what grace is - undeserved forgiveness.

Which leads me to my next thought.  Forgiveness.  Knowing when to ask for it and when to give it are two equally hard concepts that I know all too well.  I'm trying to figure out which one is easier to handle, but in all honesty, I don't think I could give an answer.  It's definitely something I need to work on in my life however difficult it may be.  I'm learning right now to let things go, let disappointments fade, and handle every situation with the grace that it does or does not deserve.  

We all I make mistakes, we all I disappoint, we all I lash out, cry out, and hurt others whether or not those are the intentions we have my intentions.  And though the pain involved often seems greater in the moment, in the aftermath once the smoke has settled, there's grace sitting patiently waiting for you me.  I really need to step up my game and learn to be more forgiving and less demanding and incredibly more giving of grace.  

2 weeks

2 weeks and life changing events later, I can barely believe it's already June.  It feels like I just started my graduate OT program, that I just moved into a new apartment with new roommates, that I just started going to Valley Church, and that I just started making some really incredible and meaningful friendships.

But believe it or not, in 2 weeks I move out of Harrisonburg and start my full time clinicals, I leave some of the really great (and not so great) people that I've met here and grown to love, and I'll be on the search for a brand new church.

The great thing is I'll be in Richmond so for 2 weeks, Kim and I will be able to run, work, live, and complain about life together.  Another great thing is that I'm only an hour and a half from my incredibly cute and growing sisters.  12 weeks seems like an awfully long time though.

Sometimes I wonder if I'm scared about the fieldwork/clinicals and not doing well, or if I really am just having an issue with change.  Most likely the latter.  For 6 1/2 years, I've come to know and love JMU.  I've lived here since I was 17.  My life is planned out here and things are comfortable.

But I'll admit, I'm excited for change, the new possibilities, and the opportunities that await. Never in my life have I been more content in so many aspects.  My relationship with Christ is the most important and influential thing I have to hold on to.  And though it's taken me a while to get where I'm at, I've never been more satisfied and content.  I know God has a plan for me and that it's greater than anything that I could ever come up with for myself.  In His time, all things will work out and I'm in no rush to grow up faster than I have to.

I'm in a good place right now.  And in 2 weeks, the journey continues.

Another half down!

This past Sunday, I ran my 4th half marathon! Now 4 is not a big number.
But when you consider all the work and effort that goes into every race,
it's kind of a big deal.  This race was different than the other in a few different
ways.  First, it was the hilliest course that I've ever run.  And I live/train in the
mountains.  The hills were brutal.

Second, the atmosphere was incredible.  I ran the Historic Marine Corp Half.
No matter what part of the course you were on or whether you had already
finished, there were marines everywhere cheering you along the way.  Doesn't
that sound a little backwards to you?? Shouldn't we be the ones cheering them
on?  Anyways, it didn't matter what branch of the military you were in, there
were people representing everything - army, navy, coast guard, you name it.

A few times when I was running, I really had to hold myself together.  Seeing
all of these incredible heroes who goes through so much for this country had
me thinking about all of the incredible freedoms we have.  I ended up making
it without crying, but few people left with dry eyes.

It was an incredible race that I was privileged to be a part of.  And to all the
military personnel out there, thank you for all you do.  You are truly appreciated.

Just a little good night note

As usual there's a lot going on. I was thinking I could post about my oh-so-boring 4 week class or even talk about the many things that I've done or have planned, but as I was driving home from my friend's house, this song came on the radio and it's been stuck in my head ever since. Also that may have been the longest sentence ever.

 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfosSggwQS0

 Seriously, check it out because it is awesome and encompasses everything I want to be as a Christian. It's called "I wanna live like that". Granted, it's not always easy, heck it's hardly ever easy, but ideally, I want to live like that for Christ. I want His love to be overflowing from my life so that I can share with any and every one. The lyrics are sweet and touch my heart every time I hear them.

Sometimes I think
 What will people say of me
 When I'm only just a memory
 When I'm home where my soul belongs

 Was I love
 When no one else would show up
 Was I Jesus to the least of those
 Was my worship more than just a song

 I want to live like that
 And give it all I have
 So that everything I say and do
 Points to You

 If love is who I am
 Then this is where I'll stand
 Recklessly abandoned
 Never holding back

 I want to live like that
 I want to live like that

 Am I proof
 That You are who you say You are
 That grace can really change a heart
 Do I live like Your love is true

 People pass
 And even if they don't know my name
 Is there evidence that I've been changed
 When they see me, do they see You

 I want to live like that
 And give it all I have
 So that everything I say and do
 Points to You

 If love is who I am
 Then this is where I'll stand
 Recklessly abandoned
 Never holding back

 I want to live like that
 I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me 
I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

 I want to live like that
 And give it all I have
 So that everything I say and do
 Points to You If love is who I am
 Then this is where I'll stand
 Recklessly abandoned
 Never holding back

Nothing is ever by coincidence

When you have a personal relationship with Christ, I find it easy to believe that nothing happens by chance or coincidence. I think every little detail is intricately planned by God. Just yesterday I expressed feeling distant from God and not seeing Him work in my life. This morning when I had my quiet time, I started the book of Leviticus. Before each chapter there's a little intro to each book explaining who wrote it, when it happened, what was going on, and how applicable it is today. Today's intro started out with something like this: God seems so far away...if only I could see or hear him. Have you ever felt this way - struggling with loneliness, burdened by despair, riddled with sin, overwhelmed by problems? Made in God's image, we were created to have a close relationship with him; thus, when fellowship i broken, we are incomplete and need restoration. Communion with the living God is the essence of worship. It is vital, touching the very core of our lives... To me, it seemed a little ironic until I thought about how good God is. He cares so much, even about the little things, to let me know "Look, this happens. This is what you're feeling. And this is what you're gonna do about it." It's definitely a small thing and maybe a stretch, but God works in amazing ways. "For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." -Psalms 139:13-14